Checkwriter inking roll means



3mm RU, 1%? A. A. GOPPERTON CHECKWRITER INKING ROLL MEANS I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 19, 1965 1967 A. A. GOPPERTON CHECKWRITER INKING ROLL MEANS Filed April 19, 1965 mm, W, 39%? m, GQWFEHTON ZMWWE QZ CHECKWRITER INKING ROLL MEANS Filed April 19, 1965 3) Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Ufifice 3,296,962 Patented Jan. 19, 1967 3,296,962 CHECKWRHTER INKING ROLL MEANS Ardath A. Gopperton, Mount Prospect, llh, assignor to Theodore B. Hirschherg, .lr., Chicago, Ill. Filed Apr. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 449,110 7 Claims. (Cl. 101-95) This invention relates to machines, commonly termed checkwri-ters, for printing money orders, checks and analogous instruments.

Machines of the character referred to are known and extensively used. In many of such machines the type or printing characters, disposed on the printing line of the .machine, are inked by means of an inking roller which is moved outward and rolled over the type at the start of a printing operation, is moved inward and again rolled over the type near the end of the printing operation and, at the termination of such operation, is moved downward to a normal position out of contact with the type. Contact of the inking roller with the type in its return to normal position is objectionable. It applies to the type a second coating of ink which is not used and is wasted, such second coat of ink dries on the type and clogs it if further use of the machine is deferred for an appreciable length of time, and the second and inward movement of the inking roller over the type tends to abrade it with resultant unnecessary wear.

My invention is directed to means such that the above noted objections to the mentioned known checkwriters are avoided. To that end I provide means whereby the inking roller is effective for inking the type on the printing line at the start of the printing operation and thereafter is maintained out of contact with the type during such operation. More particularly, I provide means effective for releasing the inking roller and rolling it outward over the type, at the start of the printing operation, such means being also effective for preventing contact of the inking roller with the type in its return movement to normal position and for holding the inking roller, when in its normal position, out of contact with any type or printing characters then on the printing line. Further objects and ad vantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a right hand side view of a checkwriter embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the oheckwriter with the enclosing casing removed;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a detail sectional view showing the inking roller;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary detail view showing the inking roller extension in a recess in the forward movement of the operating lever;

FIGURIE 6 is a detail view showing the extension of the inking roll in the recess of the roll trip lever; and

FIGURE 7 is a detail view along the line of FIGURE 6 but with the nose of the cam depressing the extension of the inking roll.

I have illustrated my invention, by way of example, as embodied in a checkwriter similar to that disclosed in my Patent 3,142,248 for Limited Amount Checkwriter, issued July 28, 1964. It is to be understood, however, that my invention may be used with any other suitable checkwriter or analogous machine to which it is applicable.

The checkwriter shown in the accompanying drawing is, in general, similar to that of my above patent and a brief description thereof, except as to those features having to i do with my present invention will suflice. It comprises a housing 1 having a base portion 2 and enclosing a frame comprising side frame plates 3 and 4 secured together in parallel spaced relation by cross rods 5. The side frame plates 3 and 4 are of irregular polygonal form and are respectively provided with forwardly extending base elements 3a and 4a spaced from the body portions thereof and defining with the latter a slot 6 for insertion of a check blank, money order blank or analogous instrument to be printed upon. The side panels of housing 1 are also provided with slots substantially in register with slot 6.

A transverse shaft 7, spaced a substantial distance above slot '6, extends between plates 3 and 4 with its ends rockably mounted therein. A plurality of type segments 8 are mounted in spaced relation upon shaft 7 for individual adjustment thereabout. Each of the segments is provided with a type bar 9 bearing printing characters ranging from zero to nine. The first six segments are dollar segments and the last two segments are cent segments. A clearing yoke 10 of appropriate form is rockably mounted on shaft 7 and bridges all of the segments. Each of the segments is provided with an adjusting arm which extends forwardly through a slot in cover plate 11 of housing 1.

A sum bar or post 13 is mounted at its upper end on shaft 7 and is anchored at its lower end to a slotted guide bar 14 extending between and mounted in the plates 3 and 4 in rear of post 13. A sum or prefix plate 15 is slidably mounted on the lower end of post 13 and is actuated as and for the purposes explained in my above identified patent. The type segments are individually adjustable for selectively positioning the printing characters thereof on the printing line of the machine, in front of and adjacent the guide bar 14 and in alignment with the prefix plate 15. The slots of the guide bar 14 receive the type bars 9 of the segments 8 and restrain the latter against undesirable lateral looseness or play, as will be understood.

The printing characters on the printing line of the machine cooperate with an underlying platen 17 mounted on the forward ends of arms 18 rockably mounted on a cross shaft 19 extending between and mounted at its ends in the base elements 3a and 4a of the side frame plates 3 and 4-. The rearward ends of arms 18 are pivoted to a toggle 20 having an upper leaf 21 pivoted between plates 3 and 4 and normally held in a folded condition by a tension spring. The pintle 22 of toggle 29 is connected by a link 23 to a cam 24 rockably mounted on the outer face of side frame plate 4. An operating lever 25 is secured to cam 24 and normally extends upwardly and rearward of the checkwriter.

Inkin-g arms 27 and 28 are secured upon shaft 7 adjacent the inner faces of side frame plates 3 and 4, respectively. The arms 2-7 and 28 are similar and extend downwardly and forwardly from shaft 7 as well as rearwardly thereof, though it is not necessary that arm 27 extend rearwardly of the shaft, as will appear more fully presently. The ends of shaft '7 are reduced in diameter providing studs which are rockably mounted in plates 3 and 4 and shoulders which restrain shaft 7 against endwise movement. The arms 27 and 28 are provided at their forward ends with upwardy opening hook elements 29. The hook elements 29 receive the reduce-d outer ends of studs 30 secured to the inner faces of end walls 31 and 31a of the inking roller tray 32. The studs 30 are headed at their inner ends and have mounted thereon the coiled portions of torsion springs 33 the outer ends of which bear against rearwardly extending end flanges 34 and end walls of tray 32. The inner arms of springs 33 seat in the notched inner ends of tabs 35 extending inwardly from the forwardedges of arms 27 and 28 a short distance above the hook elements 29 thereof.

The left end wall 31 of tray 32 is provided, a short distance from the rear edge of tray 32, with a circular opening 36 and the right end wall of tray 31a is provided with a slot 37 extending from its upper edge and aligned transversely of the tray with opening 36. An inking roller 40 is rotatably mounted in the rearward portion of tray 32. It comprises a shaft 41, conveniently formed in two sections suitably secured together, on which is secured an ink absorbent covering 42 formed in two sections 43 and 44 corresponding in length to the shaft sections. The section 43 may contain blue ink and section 44 may contain red ink, there being a separating washer 45 between the sections. The left end of shaft 41 is reduced to provide a shoulder 46, which receives a washer 47, and is further reduced to provide a stud 48 of a size to fit snugly in the opening 35 in end wall 31 of tray 32. A cylindrical extension member 49 is secured to the right end of shaft 41 by a pin 59 having a drive fit therein. The portion of pin 59 entering shaft 41 is of reduced diameter providing a shoulder between which and the end of the shaft a washer 51 is confined. The portion of pin 50 between washer 51 and extension member 49 is of a diameter to fit snugly in slot 37 of end wall 31a of tray 32. The inking assembly, comprising the tray and the inking roller 49 .rotatably mounted therein, is inserted into the checkwriter in an obvious manner. To facilitate insertion of such assembly each of the end walls 31 and 31a of tray 32 is provided with an upwardly extending tab 52 bent slightly inward for contact with the inner faces of the inking arms 27 and 28. It is to be understood, however, that my invention comprehends the use of any suitable inking roller.

In the normal position of operating lever 25 point 24a of cam 24 contacts the reduced outer end portion 49a of the inking roller extension member 49 effective for holding the inking roller 46 out of contact with the printing characters on the printing line. A stud 54, secured in the rearward extension 28a of inking arm 28 extends through an arcuate slot 55 in side frame plate 4 and into an arcuate slot 56 in cam 24. The slots 55 and 56 are so disposed that when the operating lever 25 is moved a slight distance forward, the point of cam 24 releases the inking roller extension 49. The inking roller 40 is then moved upward by the torsion springs 33 into pressure contact with the printing characters on the printing line, as permitted by an appropriately disposed notch 57 in the lower edge of the body portion of the side frame plate 4, as is known. As the operating lever is moved a further distance forward, the inking roller 40 is rolled access the printing characters thereby inking them, the stud and slot connection then being effective for swinging inking arm 28 upward and forward and turning shaft 7 and also swinging inking arm 27 upward and forward. In the continued forward movement of operating lever 25 and upward and forward movement of the arms 27 and 28 and the inking assembly carried thereby, the body of the inking roller extension member 49 passes beyond notch 57 beneath the upwardly and forwardly extending arouate lower edge 58 of a forward portion 59 of side frame plate 4. Thereafter, in the continued forward and downward movement of operating lever 25, the inking assembly is restrained against upward movement about studs by the inking roller extension member 49 then held in contact with edge 58 by the torsion springs 33. As the operating lever 25 reaches the limit of its forward stroke the platen 17 is moved into pressure contact with the money order, check or analogous instrument blank, completing the printing operation. In the return movement of operating lever 25 to its normal position, the inking assembly is returned to its normal position and inking roller is depressed and held in that position by point 24a of cam 24, as before.

The machine so far described is similar to that of my above identified patent, differing therefrom in respect to the inking means which uses but one inking roller. The

machine of said patent also includes means for limiting the maximum amount for which a check or other instrument may be printed. Such maximum amount limiting means is in no respect essential to my present invention and is neither shown nor described herein, it being noted that the inking roll means of my present invention may be used in checkwriters of any suitable type, either with or without the maximum amount limiting means of :my said patent.

As previously noted, my invention is directed particularly to means for preventing contact of the inking roller with the printing characters in the return movement of the inking assembly to its normal position and for holding it out of contact with the printing characters when in such normal position. To that end I provide an inking roll trip lever 60' rocka'bly mounted on shaft 7 at the inner face of the right arm of clearing yoke 10. The lower portion 61 of the lower arm 62 of lever 66 is oif-set outwardly so as to be closely adjacent the inner face of plate 4, in rear of the inking arm 28. The upper arm 64 of lever 60 is off-set inwardly and is normally held in contact with a slotted indexing bar 65 extending between plates 3 and 4 with its ends mounted therein. Bar 65 receives racks of the printing segments cooperating with spring pressed ball detents mounted in bar 65, as is known. The upper arm of lever 60 normally is held in contact with the forward face of bar 65 by a tension spring 66 anchored thereto at its forward end and anchored at its rearward end to plate 4. The lower arm 62 of lever 66 is then disposed a short distance rearward of the inking arm 28 substantially in the plane of the lower portion thereof.

The lower portion 61 of arm 62 of lever 60 is disposed at a forward angle to the remainder thereof and has a forwardly curving arcuate rear edge 68 merging with a shorter and reversely curved edge portion 69. The forward edge 70 of portion 61 of arm 62 is substantially straight and is joined to the lower edge 71 of portion 61 by a rounded point 72 of comparatively small radius. The lower edge 71 of portion 61 is substantially straight for the major portion of its extent and is joined by a slight arcuate recess 73 to a rearwardly extending rounded trip element 74 joining are 73 and are 69. When the operating lever 25 is in its normal position, the lever 60 is in its normal position (FIGURE 1), with its lower end disposed, in major part, forwardly of notch 57 in plate 4, with the arcuate edge 68 extending across the upper forward corner of notch 57. The trip element 74 of lever 60 is then disposed adjacent the front of notch 57 in side frame plate 4 and projects a slight distance below the lower edge 58 of portion 59 of frame plate 4. The inking roller 4-0 is then held depressed away from the printing characters, by point 24a of cam 24, as previously explained. In the forward movement of operating lever 25, for performing a printing operation, shortly after the inking roller 40 has been rolled forwardly over the printing characters the extension member 49 thereof contacts element 74 of lever 60, which depressed inking roller 40 slightly. In the return movement of operating lever 25 to its normal position, extension member 49 enters recess 73, picks up element 74 and swings lever 60 in counterclockwise direction in opposition to tension spring 66 (FIGURE 1). The counterclockwise movement of lever 60 moves the inking roller downward a short distance, spaced away from the printing characters on the printing line and holds it in that position until the point 24a of cam 24 contacts the outer end portion of extension member 49 as the operating lever 25 reaches its full normal position. When that occurs the point 24a of cam 24 depresses the extension member 49 a slight distance further. That releases the inking roll trip lever 60, which is then returned to its normal position by tension spring 66. The inking roller 40 is then held by cam 24 in its normal depressed position out of contact with any printing characters which may then be on the printing line.

As above indicated, and as will be understood, changes in detail may be made without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a checkwriter, means defining a printing line, type members having printing characters positionable on said printing line, inking means comprising an inking roller normally spaced from said printing characters and movable into contact therewith, platen means cooperating with said printing characters, an operating member having a normal position and movable therefrom and thereto for effecting a printing operation, means actuated by said member effective for holding said inking roller spaced from said printing characters in said normal position of said member and for moving said inking roller into pressure contact with said printing characters in the initial movement of said member from normal position, means for moving said inking roller over said printing characters and clear thereof and of said platen means and then moving the latter into pressure contact with an instrument disposed between said platen means and printing characters, in the continued movement of said member from its said normal position, said last mentioned means being effective for returning said inking roller to its said normal position in the return movement of said operating member to normal position, and means effective for moving said inking roller away from said printing characters in the continued movement of said operating member beyond its said initial movement and thereafter holding said inking roller out of contact with said printing characters until said operating member is returned to its said normal position upon completion of a printing operation.

2. In a checkwriter, means defining a printing line, type members having printing characters positionable on the printing line, inking means comprising an inking roller yieldingly urged toward said printing characters, platen means cooperating with said printing characters, an operating member having a normal position and movable therefrom and thereto for effecting a printing operation,

means actuated by said operating member effective for holding said inking roller spaced from said printing characters in said normal position of said operating member and for releasing said inking roller for contact with said printing characters in the initial movement of said operating member from normal position, means for moving said inking roller over said printing characters and then away from the latter and clear of said platen means and then moving the latter into pressure contact with an instrument disposed between said platen means and printing characters, in the continued movement of said oper ating member from its said normal position, said last mentioned means being effective for returning said inking rollor to its said normal position in the return movement of said operating member to normal position, and means effective for holding said inking roller away from said printing characters throughout its movement to normal position and holding it in its latter position until said operating member is returned to its said normal position.

3. In a checkwriter, means defining a printing line, individually adjustable type members having printing characters positionable on the printing line, platen means underlying and cooperating with said printing characters, inking means comprising an inking roller normally disposed between said platen means and printing characters, means yieldingly urging said inking roller toward said printing characters, an operating member movable from and to a normal position for effecting a printing operation, means actuated by said operating member effective for holding said inking roller depressed away from said printing characters in said normal position of said operating member and for releasing said inking roller for movement into contact with said printing characters in printing characters, in the continued movement of said member from its normal position, said. last means being effective for returning said inking roller and platen means to normal positions in the return movement of said member to normal position, and means effective for holding said inking roller away from said printing characters throughout its return to normal position and holding it spaced from said printing characters until said operating member is returned to normal position.

4. In a checkwriter, a frame having a rearwardly extending slot for insertion of an instrument to be printed upon, means defining a printing line spaced from the front of said slot, individually adjusting type members in said frame having printing characters positionable on said printing line, a platen underlying said printing characters normally spaced therefrom and movable to operative position in pressure contact with an instrument disposed be tween said printing characters and platen, inking means comprising an inking roller normally disposed between said platen and printing characters and movable to an inoperative position clear of both thereof, means yieldingly urging said inking roller toward said printing characters, an operating lever mounted on said frame having a normal rearward position and movable forwardly therefrom for effecting a printing operation, means actuated by said lever effective for holding said inking roller depressed away from said printing characters when said lever is in normal position and for releasing said inking roller for movement into contact with said printing characters in the initial forward movement of said lever, means actuated by said lever in the continued forward movement thereof effective for moving said inking roller to inoperative position and thereafter moving said platen to operative position, said last means being effective for returning said inking roller and platen to their said normal positions in the return movement of said lever to normal position, and means effective for holding said inking roller away from said printing characters throughout its return to normal position and until said operating lever is returned to normal position,

5. In a checkwriter, a frame comprising two spaced side plates respectively having an upper portion and a base portion defining a rearwardly extending slot for insertion of an instrument to be printed upon, means defining a printing line spaced from the front of said slot, individually adjusting type members in said frame having printing characters positionable on said printing line, aplaten underlying said printing characters normally spaced therefrom and movable to operative position in pressure contact with an instrument disposed between said printing characters and platen, inking means comprising an inking roller normally disposed between said platen and printing characters and movable to an inoperative position clear of both thereof, means yieldingly urging said inking roller toward said printing characters, said inking roller having an end extension member projecting outwardly beyond one of said plates, a cam member rockably mounted on the outer face of said one plate, an operating lever secured on said cam member for movement therewith and having a normal rearward position and movable forwardly therefrom for effecting a printing op eration, said cam member having an element contacting said extension in said normal position of said lever and effective for holding said inking roller depressed away from said printing characters, said cam element being moved clear of said extension member in the initial forward movement of said lever thereby releasing said inking roller for upward movement into pressure contact with said printing characters, means actuated by said lever in the continued forward movement thereof effective for moving said inking roller to inoperative position and thereafter moving said platen to operative position, said last means being effective for returning said inking roller and platen to their said normal positions in the return movement of said lever to normal position, and means cooperating with said extension member and effective for holding said inking roller away from said printing characters throughout its return to normal position and until said operating lever is returned to normal position.

6. In a checkwriter, a frame comprising two spaced side plates respectively having an upper portion and a base portion defining a rearwardly extending slot for insertion of an instrument to be printed upon, means defining a printing line spaced from the front of said slot, individually adjusting type members in said frame having printing characters positionable on said printing line, a platen underlying said printing characters normally spaced therefrom and movable to operative position in pressure contact with an instrument disposed between said printing characters and platen, inking means comprising an inking roller normally disposed between said platen and printing characters and movable to an inoperative position clear of both thereof, means yieldingly urging said inking roller toward said printing characters, said inking roller having an end extension member projecting outwardly beyond one of said plates, a cam member rockably mounted on the outer face of said one plate, an operating lever secured on said cam member for movement therewith and having a normal rearward position and movable forwardly therefrom for effecting a printing operation, said cam member having an element contacting said extension in said normal position of said lever and effective for holding said inking roller depressed away from said printing characters, said cam element being moved clear of said extension member in the initial forward movement of said lever thereby releasing said inking roller for upward movement into pressure contact with said printing characters, means actuated by said lever in the continued forward movement thereof effective for moving said inking roller to inoperative position and thereafter moving said platen to operative position, said last means being effective for returning said inking roller and platen to their said normal positions in the return movement of said lever to normal position, said one side plate having a notch in the lower edge of its upper portion and an upwardly and forwardly directed lower edge portion extending from said notch, said inking roller having an end extension member disposed to underlie said notch when said inking roller is in its said normal position and to contact said lower edge portion in the movement of said inking roller to inoperative position, an inking roller trip lever pivoted on said plate yieldingly held in a normal position, said trip lever having at its lower end a downwardly extending element disposed to be contacted by said extension member in the return movement of said inking roller to normal position and effective for swinging said trip lever from normal position to an operative position effective for depressing said inking roller and holding it away from the printing characters until said cam element contacts said extension member as said operating lever approaches normal position, said cam element being effective for depressing said extension member a further distance as said operating lever reaches full normal position and thereby releasing said trip lever for return thereof to normal position.

7. In a checkwriter a frame comprising two spaced side plates respectively having an upper portion and a base portion defining a rearwardly extending slot for insertion of an instrument to be printed upon, means defining a printing line spaced from the front of said slot, individually adjusting type members in said frame having printing characters positionable on said printing line, a platen underlying said printing characters normally spaced therefrom and movable to operative position in pressure contact with an instrument disposed between said printing characters and platen, inking means comprising an inking roller normally disposed between said platen and printing characters and movable to an inoperative position clear of both thereof, means yieldingly urging said inking roller toward said printing characters, said inking roller having on end extension member projecting outwardly beyond one of said plates, a cam member rockably mounted on the outer face of said one plate, an operating lever secured on said cam member for movement therewith and having a normal rearward position and movable forwardly therefrom for effecting a printing operation, said cam member having an element contacting said extension member in said normal position of said lever and effective for holding said inking roller depressed away from said printing characters, said cam element being moved clear of said extension m mber in the initial forward movement of said lever thereby releasing said inking roller for upward movement into pressure contact with said printing characters, means actuated by said lever in the continued forward movement thereof effective for moving said inking roller to inoperative position and thereafter moving said platen to operative position, said last means being effective for returning said inking roller and platen to their said normal positions in the return movement of said lever to normal position, said one side plate having a notch in the lower edge of its upper portion and an upwardly and forwardly directed lower edge portion extending from said notch, said inking member roller extension being disposed to underlie said notch when said inking roller is in its said normal position and to contact said lower edge portion in the movement of said inking roller to inoperative position, an inking roller trip lever pivoted on the inner face of said plate and yieldingly held in a normal position, said trip lever having at its lower end a downwardly extending element disposed to be contacted by said extension member in the return movement of said inking roller to normal position and effective for swinging said trip lever from normal position to an operative position effective for depressing said inking roller and holding it away from the printing characters until said cam element contacts said extension member as said operating lever approaches normal position, said cam element being effective for depressing said extension member a further distance as said operating lever reaches full normal position and thereby releasing said trip lever for return thereof to normal position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,697,981 12/1954 Rindfieisch l0l-20 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM F. MCCARTHY, Examiner. 

1. IN A CHECKWRITER, MEANS DEFINING A PRINTING LINE, TYPE MEMBERS HAVING PRINTING CHARACTERS POSITIONABLE ON SAID PRINTING LINE, INKING MEANS COMPRISING AN INKING ROLLER NORMALLY SPACED FROM SAID PRINTING CHARACTERS AND MOVABLE INTO CONTACT THEREWITH, PLATEN MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID PRINTING CHARACTERS, AN OPERATING MEMBER HAVING A NORMAL POSITION AND MOVABLE THEREFROM AND THERETO FOR EFFECTING A PRINTING OPERATION, MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID MEMBER EFFECTIVE FOR HOLDING SAID INKING ROLLER SPACED FROM SAID PRINTING CHARACTERS IN SAID NORMAL POSITION OF SAID MEMBER AND FOR MOVING SAID INKING ROLLER INTO PRESSURE CONTACT WITH SAID PRINTING CHARACTERS IN THE INITIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER FROM NORMAL POSITION, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID INKING ROLLER OVER SAID PRINTING CHARACTERS AND CLEAR THEREOF AND OF SAID PLATEN MEANS AND THEN MOVING THE LATTER INTO PRESSURE CONTACT WITH AN INSTRUMENT DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID PLATEN MEANS AND PRINTING CHARACTERS, IN THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER FROM ITS SAID NORMAL POSITION, SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS BEING EFFECTIVE FOR RETURNING SAID INKING ROLLER TO ITS SAID NORMAL POSITION IN THE RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID OPERATING MEMBER TO NORMAL POSITION, AND MEANS EFFECTIVE FOR MOVING SAID INKING ROLLER AWAY FROM SAID PRINTING CHARACTERS IN THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF SAID OPERATING MEMBER BEYOND ITS SAID INITIAL MOVEMENT AND THEREAFTER HOLDING SAID INKING ROLLER OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID PRINTING CHARACTERS UNTIL SAID OPERATING MEMBER IS RETURNED TO ITS SAID NORMAL POSITION UPON COMPLETION OF A PRINTING OPERATION. 